Sex efficiency through exercises : special physical culture for women / by Th. H. van de Velde ; [photos, by E. Steinemann].
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Exhalation should only be performed as represented in Fig. 23, that is, with pressure on abdomen as well as ribs, in the early stages of pregnancy and the later stages of convalescence after child-birth. After the first pregnant months and very soon after child-birth, the patient's arms should be sharply flexed, so that the pressure falls only on the ribs and especially at the sides. Even so, there should be no sort of discomfort or excessive pressure. Group II. : Relaxation and Suppleness (6) Loosening the Leg (no illustration). First position (standing). Lift the leg slightly above the floor and forwards and shake it gently from thigh to toes so that the foot moves loosely to and fro. Repeat with the other leg alternating left and right. It is essential for the woman to have a firm table beside her on which she can rest one hand. Chairs are inadvisable, they slip or overbalance too easily. (7) Loose Pendulum Leg Exercise (no illustration). First position as in Fig. 1, but without raised arms. Move one leg backwards and then swing it very gently to and fro from the hip. Sharp jerks should be avoided ; move very gently and evenly. Practise alternately, left and right. A firm support is necessary in this exercise as well as in the last. (8) Leg Relaxation (Figs. 24 and 25). (a) Lie down on back with raised knee. Raise the leg from the knee downwards and let it fall back on the thigh. Practise alternately, left and right. (b) As in (a), but exercising both legs simultaneously. Note.—A sudden drop of the lower leg is to be avoided, as this would jar the pelvic organs. Nor is the exercise suitable for advanced pregnancy. (9) Leg Rolling, Inwards and Outwards (Figs. 26 and 27). Lie down on back. The gymnastic instructress takes hold of one ankle and places her other hand beneath the thigh. She then lifts the patient's leg and rolls it inwards so far as